Nintendo Veteran Hideki Konno Leaves Company After Nearly 40 Years — End of an Era for Mario Kart & Yoshi’s Island Creator
Hideki Konno, one of Nintendo’s most influential game designers, directors, and producers, has left the company after nearly 40 years of service — marking the end of a remarkable run at the iconic Japanese game maker.
Konno’s departure, which was quietly confirmed via his personal social media and industry reports, reveals he left Nintendo in July 2025 after building a legendary career shaping some of the company’s most beloved franchises.
A Creative Force Behind Nintendo Classics
Hideki Konno joined Nintendo in 1986, beginning his career as a designer and assistant director on early classics like Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3. His creative influence quickly expanded:
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Directed Super Mario Kart — the game that launched one of Nintendo’s most enduring and popular multiplayer series.
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Directed Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island — a critically acclaimed platformer celebrated for its art style and gameplay.
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Directed Mario Kart 64, bringing the series into 3D.
Across subsequent decades, Konno also served as producer on numerous Mario Kart titles, including Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart Tour, and earned a “special thanks” credit on Mario Kart World.
A Wide-Ranging Legacy
Beyond his foundational work on Mario Kart and Yoshi’s Island, Konno’s influence spanned multiple facets of Nintendo’s evolution:
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He helped shape handheld gaming, including the Nintendo 3DS hardware and its features as a producer.
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He played a role in Nintendo’s mobile game efforts, contributing to projects such as Super Mario Run and Mario Kart Tour.
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Konno’s credits include roles across dozens of titles, showcasing his versatility in game design and production.
Industry observers note that Konno’s departure highlights a transition phase at Nintendo, as several key veterans from the company’s formative decades begin stepping away from daily development.
End of an Era, Beginning of the Next
Despite the quiet nature of his exit and lack of an official Nintendo statement, fans and industry peers alike have expressed deep appreciation for Konno’s contributions — which helped define multiplayer gaming and bring joy to players across generations. His work has influenced how countless players experience Nintendo’s worlds, characters, and innovations.
As Nintendo continues to evolve, Konno’s legacy — particularly in the Mario Kart series — will remain a cornerstone of the company’s creative history.